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A Vancouver man is suing 7-Eleven and the City of Coquitlam, B.C., after he says he stepped on an unsecured manhole cover and fell through.

Albert Trim says in his statement of claim he stepped on a manhole cover as he was leaving a 7-Eleven near Burnette Avenue in Coquitlam last October. He says the hole was not properly secured and he fell into it, causing him to suffer "severe physical injuries" to his knees, legs and right hand.

Trim is now taking 7-Eleven and the City of Coquitlam to B.C. Surpreme Court for what he claims is negligence. In court documents, he says 7-Eleven had a responsibility to maintain the manhole cover and to ensure he "would be reasonably safe in exiting the store." He also claims there was no warning the manhole was not secure.

Trim says he has lost income as a result of the incident, and is seeking damages and health care costs from 7-Eleven and the City.